| The Great Dane is a big dog that often has no | | | | on. Cataracts can affect the breed as well as |
| concept of his size. One family fashioned a | | | | bone cancer and lymphoma. Wobblers or CVI is |
| cowbell on their Dane so they could hear him | | | | another serious disorder that results from |
| coming. There was not an aggressive bone in him | | | | pressure on the spinal cord in the neck area. Dogs |
| but when he galloped full bore towards you he'd | | | | appear unsteady or 'drunk'. HOD - hypertrophic |
| brush past enough to knock you sideways if you | | | | osteodystrophy is a painful disorder resulting from |
| weren't ready for him! | | | | rapid growth. Panosteitis is another disorder that |
| This is a giant of a breed with a gentle heart. | | | | can cause lameness during the growth phase. |
| They're a clown that is the inspiration for | | | | The Great Dane needs a fenced yard but keep |
| Marmaduke cartoons with the impression of | | | | them away from landscaping as they are apt to |
| power in television and movies. Danes have been | | | | rearrange it! Due to their size they should not be |
| immortalized by the likes of Scooby-Doo and in | | | | left alone with children. Although Danes are not |
| movies such as The Patriot, The Swiss Family | | | | mean dogs their size and playfulness can injure |
| Robinson, Good Boy! Pluto and Goofy are said to | | | | children as well as smaller pets. They are people |
| be inspired by Great Danes. | | | | orientated but do need consistent training from |
| They're dignified yet can be goofy. Their very | | | | puppyhood! Their size alone deters many |
| size demands early training and discipline to be | | | | problems and they shouldn't be taught to be |
| calm, loving adults. Gibson, a harlequin, is 42.2 | | | | aggressive. |
| inches and 170 pounds - when he stands on his | | | | This is a breed that can be expensive due to the |
| hind legs he's seven feet tall! | | | | large size and everything from beds to dishes is |
| The Great Dane is noble and elegant and a true | | | | bigger! If socialized they love people with one |
| giant of a dog. They have a history dating back | | | | Dane owner putting a bell on his dog so there |
| over 400 years where they were used for boar | | | | was warning of him coming. The dog was not a |
| hunting. A dog resembling a Dane was found in | | | | bit mean but his size brushing past people could |
| materials dated to 1211 B.C. The Great Dane is | | | | knock you down! |
| believed to trace to the Irish Wolfhound and | | | | This is a breed that can live 8-10 years and more |
| English Mastiff as parent breeds, for the purpose | | | | than one child has climbed up on a Dane to ride |
| hunting of a fast, powerful and savage foe. Along | | | | them as a small horse. Most dogs take such |
| with hunting for boar they were also used for | | | | things in stride but again - the size if playing or |
| deer hunting. | | | | wrestling can hurt a small child without ever |
| By the breed standard they are powerful and | | | | intending to. |
| smooth muscled with a spirited attitude. The | | | | A good diet is critical for these dogs not only in |
| males must be over 30 inches and over 32 inches | | | | quantity but quality. This is an active breed that |
| are preferred as long as he is balanced. This | | | | loves to run but should do so only in controlled |
| leaves a dog that can be 150 pounds without | | | | situations. They are not typically barkers without |
| being fat! Counters are head high to them. A | | | | a reason to bark. |
| smooth bbut thick coat that shines with good | | | | When taking on a Dane remember that many |
| care is ideal. | | | | people are afraid of large dogs. Be responsible |
| The Danes come in several colors including brindle, | | | | enough to keep your Dane home where he |
| fawn with black mask, blue, black, harlequin and | | | | belongs. Fawn Danes in particular are at the |
| mantle. A harlequin is a pinto pattern of black and | | | | mercy of unethical hunters in the fall and more |
| white while the mantle is "collie marked" in black | | | | than one Dane has lost his life simply wandering in |
| and white. This is a breed that strides out level | | | | the woods. In urban areas the dangers can be |
| and powerful and is friendly. They shouldn't ever | | | | even higher. Don't take the chance of losing a |
| be timid or aggressive. The ears may be cropped | | | | great dog for lack of a fence, and don't rely on |
| or uncropped. | | | | the invisible fences. |
| Their giant size means massive growth as puppies | | | | Training is not an option but a requirement! They |
| that is a challenge to feed. Too fast growth can | | | | MUST know their place in the pack order (and |
| cause problems with joints while too slow isn't | | | | always below humans!) and firm, consistent |
| good either. Several health issues can face the | | | | handling is key to establishing this. Allowing a Great |
| breed and are serious enough to warrant | | | | Dane to dominate a household means someone |
| attention. | | | | will get hurt or killed sooner or later, a situation in |
| The Great Dane is the #1 breed in statistics for | | | | which both people and dogs lose. It is also one |
| bloat, which is the leading killer of this beautiful | | | | which is preventable. The Great Dane is an |
| breed. It is imperative to feed several small meals | | | | intelligent dog that wants to learn and wants to |
| per day and restrict exercise immediately | | | | do the right thing - it is up to his owners to teach |
| afterwards to keep the stomach from filling and | | | | him what that is! |
| twisting. If a twist occurs it causes the dog | | | | As of 2007 the world's tallest dog is a Great |
| excruciating pain and he will die in hours without | | | | Dane. The Great Dane is the official dog of |
| surgical care. This cannot be stressed enough - | | | | Pennsylvania and the team mascot at the |
| prevention is much much better than dealing with | | | | University of Albany. A Great Dane has been a |
| a dog in crisis. Preventing these giants from | | | | member of the South African Navy and the |
| drinking large amounts of water is another | | | | breed is prominent in Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin. |
| recommended tip. | | | | Among the fans of the Great Dane is Burt Ward, |
| Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism also affect | | | | famous as "Robin" in the Batman series of the |
| Danes as well as cardiomyopathy. All three of | | | | 1960s. He and his wife have a home that gives |
| these are genetic and can be tested for to | | | | Great Danes a second chance and 3,000 Danes |
| eliminate breeding dogs that will pass the disease | | | | have found homes since 1994. |